[C320-list] Grid liner & bilge design question - newer vs. older issues

[Warren Updike]

I would focus my decision on usability factors rather than design issues.
Each major model changes has it's pluses and minuses. You will, for the most
part, pay a going rate for the vintage of the model you select. Focus on
general condition, onboard equipment, prior owner improvements, and how well
a particular configuration fits your intended use within your budget. 

More than likely you will want to make your own changes no matter how your
selected boat is configured. You'll replace something or many things over
your time of ownership, so look for the best value for a hull that has been
cared for by the PO.

If the boat is more than 5 years old, plan on replacing lots of things in a
5 to 10 year period of ownership. If the boat was in salt water it's a whole
different thing than a fresh water boat. Whether it was raced or not also
may make a difference. Those things should make a difference in how you
assess a particular boat. 

In my experience, I bought a 10 year old 320 that had been lightly used and
reasonably cared for. There were some issues but I accepted them as the
condition was as good or better than others we looked at. I've enjoyed
making the improvement that enhance its cruising capability. We plan two and
three week cruises for each season.

Our boat has always been in what is mostly fresh water. The rigging is in
good condition and I expect to get to 20 years before having to do
replacements there. The deck was solid even though I had to immediately
rebed all the chain plates. On newer hulls (than mine,) the deck is solid
(not cored,) where the chain plates pass through. These decks are not in
peril as a result of leaking chain plates. Thoroughly investigate any signs
of leaking chain plates if an older hull. A maintenance log from the PO
would be a plus.

Still, a (now) 15 year old boat will need to have instruments, autopilot,
radio, maybe some plumbing, etc., replaced to keep it's value, salability,
and utility up to date. Just facts of life.

Let us know how you proceed.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: Sean Kaldor [mailto:spkaldor at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 4:20 AM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Grid liner & bilge design question - newer vs. older
issues

I'm choosing between two 320s... a 1994 vintage and a 1997 vintage.
 
One of the design differences between the two is the grid liner and bilge
set-up. As  I understand from this site, a deeper bilge with better weep
holes to drain the pan was added around hull #246 (late 1995). And all hulls
up to #355 have a technical reference bulletin about the need to drill
access and drain holes throughout the grid liner for regular draining to the
bilge, inspection, etc.
 
So my questions are ... are these changes/improvements important, or are
they just footnotes in the design history? If you have an earlier design, is
the grid water draining an issue - did you drill the holes, does water
collect? If you could choose between a pre-246 hull and a post 355 hull,
would this even be a consideration? Is there any long-term effect on the
structural grid members? 
 
I'm curious about your experiences and opinions.
 
Thanks!
 
Sean
Hull #TBD